U.S. patent number 3,768,850 [Application Number 05/201,828] was granted by the patent office on 1973-10-30 for pneumatic flexible bumper.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ford Motor Company. Invention is credited to David W. Barton, George H. Muller.
United States Patent |
3,768,850 |
Barton , et al. |
October 30, 1973 |
PNEUMATIC FLEXIBLE BUMPER
Abstract
A flexible, pneumatic bumper adapted for motor vehicle
applications. A plurality of individual chambers are defined by a
resiliently deformable outer bumper shell, a supporting plate
secured to the vehicle structural members and a plurality of
separator elements extending from the bumper shell and removably
connected to the supporting plate. When the outer bumper shell is
forced inwardly due to an impact force, resultant chamber
deformation causes an increase in chamber pressure that is relieved
by air being forced out of chamber through pressure relief valves
that vent each chamber. Following impact, return of the bumper
shell to its original shape is slowed by a restricted air flow into
the chambers through the valves, thereby preventing bumper rebound
forces.
Inventors: |
Barton; David W. (Birmingham,
MI), Muller; George H. (Ann Arbor, MI) |
Assignee: |
Ford Motor Company (Dearborn,
MI)
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Family
ID: |
22747474 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/201,828 |
Filed: |
November 24, 1971 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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836776 |
Jun 26, 1969 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
293/110;
261/140.1; 293/122 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R
19/20 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
19/18 (20060101); B60R 19/20 (20060101); B60r
019/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;293/71R,71P,70,72
;114/219 ;267/140 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Forlenza; Gerald M.
Assistant Examiner: Saifer; Robert
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 836,776, filed June
26, 1969, now abandoned.
Claims
We claim:
1. An energy absorbing bumper assembly adapted to protect bumper
mounting structure from impact damage, said assembly including a
portion of said mounting structure comprising a bumper backing
member, generally elongate resiliently deformable bumper shell
means operatively secured to said backing member and cooperating
therewith to define a chamber therebetween, a plurality of
resiliently deformable separator means extending from said shell
means to said backing member and dividing said chamber into a
plurality of individual portions, plural indentation means formed
on said backing member, the end of each of said separator means
remote from said shell means being removably positioned in one of
said indentation means, said separator means being transversely
disposed relative to the general longitudinal extent of the bumper
assembly, said separator means having a first pair of generally
opposite edges attached to the shell means and a second pair of
generally opposite edges, one of which is attached to the shell
means and the other of which is unattached to the shell means and
free to slide within and relative to said indentation means in
reponse to deformation of said bumper shell means.
2. An energy absorbing bumper assembly according to claim 1,
wherein at least one of said individual chamber portions is vented
to the atmosphere by a pressure relief valve mounted in an aperture
formed through said backing member.
3. An energy absorbing bumper assembly according to claim 1, said
shell means being a one piece element and said separator means
being integrally formed with said shell means.
4. An energy absorbing bumper assembly according to claim 1, said
assembly further including cooperating tongue and groove means
formed on said shell means and each of said separator means and
operative to removably secure said separator means to said shell
means.
5. An energy absorbing bumper assembly according to claim 1, said
shell means comprising a plurality of individual shell portions,
cooperating tongue and groove means formed on said shell portions
and operative to removably secure said shell portions together into
a unitary shell.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The prior art details numerous disclosures of flexible, motor
vehicle bumpers that take advantage of the large energy absorbing
capabilities of fluid systems. It is believed that such bumpers
have been restricted in their feasible production applications by
two factors: lack of reliability and relatively great manufacturing
costs.
Liquid filled bumpers and bumpers wherein a gas is encapsulated
under pressure are prone to develop leaks. This is because the
outer shells of such bumpers must be constructed from elastomeric
materials that are subject to puncture during normal vehicle
operation. In addition, known flexible bumpers including single or
multiple, self-contained fluid chambers are difficult and costly to
manufacture and can be secured to the vehicle structure to be
protected only by relatively complex and expensive attachment
means.
It is an object of this invention to provide a flexible, energy
absorbing bumper adapted for use on a motor vehicle that takes
advantage of the energy absorbing potential of fluid systems, but
avoids the drawbacks to such bumpers encountered in the prior art
and detailed above. More particularly, this invention provides a
pneumatic bumper wherein air chambers are defined by a support
plate and an elastomeric member that may be manufactured by
conventional techniques that are compatible with high volume, low
cost production. Small leaks in the structure defining these
chambers do not affect bumper reliability because the air
encapsulated therein normally is at atmospheric pressure and is
pressurized during an impact at too great a rate to be
significantly affected by such leaks. Futhermore, the bumper of
this invention is reusable as the elastomeric member returns to its
original shape following an impact thereupon. This return to its
original shape by the elastomeric member occurs without giving rise
to objectionable rebound forces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An energy absorbing bumper assembly constructed in accordance with
this invention is adapted to be utilized for protecting motor
vehicle structure from impact damage. The bumper assembly includes
a portion of the vehicle structure comprising a bumper mounting
plate. A resilienty deformable bumper shell means is operatively
secured to the mounting plate and cooperates therewith to define a
chamber therebetween. A plurality of resiliently deformable
separator means extend from the inside surface of the bumper shell
through the chamber to the mounting plate and divide the chamber
into a plurality of individual cells. Plural indentation means are
formed on the mounting plate. The end of each of the separator
means remote from the bumper shell means is removably positioned in
one of the indentation means formed in the bumper plate. Each of
the individual chamber portions is vented to the atmosphere through
a pressure release valve mounted in one of a plurality of apertures
formed through the mounting plate.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a plan view with parts broken away of a first embodiment
of pneumatic flexible bumper constructed in accordance with this
invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of that portion of the structure of FIG.
1 located within the circle three; and
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but illustrating a second
embodiment of pneumatic flexible bumper constructed in accordance
with this invention; and
FIG. 5 is a partial plan view, having parts broken away, of a third
embodiment of pneumatic flexible bumper constructed in accordance
with this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, the numeral 10
denotes a first embodiment of the flexible, pneumatic bumper of
this invention. The numeral 12 identifies a vehicle structural
member such as a front frame member. A bumper mounting plate 14,
having an upper arm 16 and a lower arm 18, is secured by
conventional joining techniques, such as welding, to structural
member 12. The joints between mounting plate 14 and structure 12
are located along the upper and lower arms 16 and 18 of the
mounting plate.
The bumper assembly includes an elastomeric member 20 that is
resiliently deformable and is constructed of material such as dense
urethane foam or rubber. The elastomeric member 20 has a main body
or shell 22 that is spaced from mounting plate 14, an upper arm 22a
extending from shell 22 to mounting plate 14 and a lower arm 22b
extending from the shell to the bottom of the mounting plate.
Enlarged beads 24 and 26 are formed on the ends of arms 22a and 22b
respectively.
Elastomeric member 20 is secured to plate 14 by means of a clamp
type connection. This connection includes a pair of clamps 28 and
30 secured to upper and lower mounting plate arms 16 and 18,
respectively, by fasteners 32 and 34. These clamps essentially are
S-shaped and engage beads 24 and 26 to maintain the elastomeric
member in the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
As best may be seen in FIG. 1, the end portions 36 and 38 of shell
22 are arcuate and curve about the side of mounting plate 14. With
bumper 10 mounted on a motor vehicle, end portions 36 and 38 would
extend about the fenders of the vehicle as do conventional metal
bumpers to give increased protection to the vehicle sheet
metal.
A plurality of separator members, two of which are identified in
FIG. 1 by the numerals 40 and 42, integrally are formed with shell
22 and extend therefrom across the space between shell 22 and
mounting plate 14. A plurality of brackets having grooves formed
therein, two of said brackets being identified in FIG. 1 by the
numerals 44 and 46, are secured to mounting plate 14 such that the
separator members will register therewith. As may be seen in FIG.
1, the ends of separator members 40 and 42 remote from shell 22 are
received in the grooves defined by brackets 44 and 46 respectively.
This positioning of the end portions of the separator member in the
grooved brackets provides for an air tight seal between these
members while not impeding easy assembly of the elastomeric member
20 with the mounting plate 14.
The cooperation between separators 40 and 42 and brackets 44 and 46
allow the definition of an air tight chamber 48 defined by shell
22, mounting plate 14 and separators 40 and 42. It may be
appreciated by reference to the drawings that a plurality of such
chambers are defined along the length of the elastromeric member
20.
As best may be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawing, chamber 48
is vented to the atmosphere through an aperture 50 formed in
mounting plate 14. Positioned in aperture 50 is a valve 52. This
valve has a passageway 54 extending therethrough. The end of
passageway 54 remote from chamber 48 has a portion 58 of reduced
cross sectional area defined by a valve lip 56.
The bumper assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 is operative to
protect the structure 12 and other attendant vehicle structure due
to its capability of absorbing impact energy. This absorption of
energy is due to the fact that the chambers, such as chamber 48,
comprise pneumatic chambers. Under normal conditions, elastomeric
member 20 is in the undeformed condition illustrated in the drawing
and chamber 48 is filled with air at atmospheric pressure. This
pressure is insured by the communication of chamber 48 with the
atmosphere through the small opening 58 in valve 52. Upon shell 22
of elastomeric member 20 being impacted, the elastomeric member is
deformed as by shell 22 being pushed inwardly toward mounting plate
14. A reduction in size of chamber 48 thus occurs. The small
opening 58 in valve 52 does not allow quick passage of large
amounts of air from chamber 48 to the atmosphere. In face, valve 52
greatly impedes the flow of air through aperture 50 so that the
speedy reduction in size of chamber 48 results in an immediate rise
in the air pressure within the chamber. The energy required to
deform elastomeric member 20 and the energy required to force
pressurized air from the chamber 48 through the valve is absorbed
from the total energy of the impact force.
Upon the pressure within chamber 48 reaching a predetermined
magnitude, lip 56 of valve 52 will open somewhat and opening 58
will become enlarged and will allow a greater volume of air to pass
from chamber 48 through aperture 50. Valve 52 thus acts as a
pressure relief valve and insures that chamber 48 acts as a
cushioning member against an impact force directed against shell
22. The functioning of the chamber 48 described above is repeated,
of course, for all the pneumatic chambers formed along the length
of elastomeric member 20.
Following the termination of the application of an impact force to
shell 22, the elastomeric member, being resiliently deformable,
will return to its original configuration. The return to the
original configuration by the elastomeric member somewhat is
impeded by the design of valve 52. Since opening 58 is small, valve
52 inhibits greatly the passage of air from the ambient atmosphere
back into the partially exhausted chamber 48. The return of the
elastomeric member 20 to its original position thus is controlled
so that movement toward the original configuration occurs quite
slowly. This slow return of elastomeric member 20 to its normal
configuration insures that excessive rebound forces caused by the
resiliency of member 20 do not occur and that an undersirable
bounce effect is prevented.
Elastomeric member 20, including the end portions 36 and 38 of
shell 22 and separators 40 and 42, may be an integrally formed
molding of elastomeric material and thus easily may be manufactured
by large volume production techniques. It may be appreciated that a
puncture in elastomeric member 22 does not operate to render the
bumper ineffective tin the absorption of energy. The hole caused by
such a puncture would be quite small, even compared to the
restricted orifice 58 of valve 52. During the sudden deformation of
the elastomeric walls defining chamber 48, a small puncture hole
would not allow a quick escape of the air from the chamber and thus
would have no significant effect on the pressures within chamber
48.
FIGS 4 and 5 illustrate second and third embodiments, respectively,
of the energy absorbing bumper of this invention. Unless
specifically noted in the description below, the bumper assemblies
of these second and third embodiments are identical to the
embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 and described in detail
above.
Referring now to FIG. 4, the numeral 60 denotes a second embodiment
of pneumatic, flexible bumper constructed in accordance with this
invention and adapted to protect a motor vehicle structure
including a front structural member 64 that is connected to side
frame rails 64a and 64 b. A bumper mounting plate 62 is secured, as
by welding, to member 64. The elastomeric member of bumper assembly
60 includes an outer shell 66 and a plurality of separator members,
one of which is identified by the numeral 68.
Bumper assembly 60 has a simplified construction relative to the
bumper assembly 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, in that mounting plate 62 has
integrally formed therein a plurality of grooves, one of which is
identified by the reference numeral 70. These integrally formed
grooves are positioned so as to register with the end portion of
the separator members that extend to a mounting plate 62 from the
shell 66. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the end of separator member 68
remote from shell 66 is positioned within groove 70.
As discussed above, the mounting of elastomeric member separator
elements within groove means formed on the bumper mounting plates
of the embodiment of this invention are removable. This arrangement
facilitates assembly of the pneumatic flexible bumper of the
invention in that the elastomeric member need only be placed in its
final position and secured by whatever connection means are
utilized.
Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawing, the numeral 80 denotes a
third embodiment of pneumatic, flexible bumper assembly constructed
in accordance with this invention. The design of bumper assembly 80
is adapted to facilitate assembly of this structure when a complex
bumper shape is required. The bumper assembly 80 includes a backing
plate 82 and an elastomeric member 84 that is a composite rather
that an integrally formed member. Elastomeric member 84 has a first
shell portion 86 with a tongue 86a extending therefrom. Adjacent
first shell portion 86 is a second shell portion 88 having a
bifurcated end portion 88a adapted to receive tongue 86a thereby
providing for a connection between the shell portions 86 and
88.
Separator members extend from the composite shell members. One of
the separator members is identified by the reference numeral 90 and
has formed thereon a tenon 92. This tenon 92 is received in an
undercut groove formed in shell portion 86. It thus may be seen
that the bumper elastomeric member, if it need have a complex
shape, may be formed as a composite from individual elastomeric
members that simply may be put together due to the connection means
described above.
Bumper assembly also is distinguished by the fact that the end
portions of this assembly include pneumatic chambers. It may be
seen that shell portion 88 has an end 88b, remote from bifurcated
end 88a, that is arcuate and curved about the side of backing plate
82. A second backing plate 94, secured to backing plate 82 as by
welding, is arranged to correspond to the profile of shell end
portion 88b. A pair of separator members 98 and 100 extend from
shell end portion 88b to the second mounting plate 94 such that a
pneumatic chamber 96 is formed. It thus may be appreciated that
bumper assembly 80 provides the energy absorbing potential of
pneumatic chambers that may be utilized even if a vehicle equiped
with this bumper assembly is not impacted directly from the front,
but rather is impacted slightly from the side such that the impact
force would be received by the end 88b of the shell portion 88.
It thus may be seen that this invention provides a pneumatic,
flexible bumper distinguished in that the elastomeric portion
thereof easily may be formed from either a single integral molding
in the case of simple bumper shapes, or as a composite of
individual moldings when complex bumper shapes are required.
Puncture of the elastomeric member, that partially defines plural
pneumatic chambers, does not impair the operability of the
pneumatic bumper of this invention because the encapsulated air
present within the pneumatic chambers normally is at atmospheric
pressure. This air quickly becomes pressurized to a high value,
however, upon an impact being received by the bumper and causing a
resilient deformation thereof.
* * * * *